From Rockville to New York: Montgomery chief’s name part of the school buzz

Pundits in New York have mentioned Montgomery County School Superintendent Joshua P. Starr as one of five possible contenders for the job of New York City schools chancellor when a new mayor takes office Jan. 1.

The nonprofit news Web site GothamSchools writes that Democrat Bill de Blasio is widely expected to win New York’s mayoral race and has not said who he would pick for the top schools post, while Chancellor Dennis Walcott has said he will leave the position.

Against that backdrop, staff writer Geoff Decker sorted through “the rumors and political jockeying to handicap several strong contenders.”

Earlier in his career, Starr worked in the New York system, the nation’s largest, starting as a special education teacher and ultimately serving as director of school performance and accountability. He was superintendent in Stamford, Ct. , before arriving in Montgomery County in July 2011.

Schools spokesman Dana Tofig said Monday afternoon that no one has contacted Starr about the chancellor’s job and that Starr has had no conversations about it. Tofig said Starr’s comments on GothamSchools hold true.

Starr was quoted as saying: “I have a job right now that I love and that I’m focused on. I’m flattered to have my name come up in the New York City conversation but I’m deeply committed to the job right now.”